How to find a Good Loctician

A loctician is someone who specializes in creating and grooming dreadlocks, which are also called "locs." Although some people claim they know the art of grooming or starting locs, only a few locticians have a deep knowledge of the techniques associated with creating dreadlocked hair.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Locating Locticians

1. Search the Internet for locticians using specific search terms like "dreadlocks in [your city]." For example, if you live in Atlanta, Georgia, you would use the search terms, “dreadlocks in Atlanta.” It’s difficult to find locticians because creating dreadlocked hair is a specialized craft. Depending on where you live, you may not be able to find many people who have this experience. There are usually more locticians living in culturally diverse areas and mid-sized to large cities in the United States.

2. Visit braiding shops and beauty supply stores. Sometimes locticians post business cards in beauty shops where the stylists know how to braid hair. You can also ask the braiders if they know someone who can "loc" hair.

3. Select your loctician. Call the locticians and set up appointments for hair consultations. A hair consultation is a meeting in which the loctician gives you advice on how to improve your hair. You can have a consultation before you get dreadlocks, when your dreadlocks are mature or any time in between. Most stylists provide hair consultations. They may charge a fee. Steer away from stylists who do not offer consultations or do not know what a consultation is.

Questions to Ask Potential Locticians

4. Ask questions and observe. Whenever possible, select a loctician who specializes in natural hair, or hair in its natural state.

5. Ask your stylist if she has had locs. A stylist who has had dreadlocks is better able to understand the process from firsthand experience.

6. Ask the stylist about the process she uses for locs. Some stylists knot the hair, which could cause bumps in the locs.

7. Ask the stylist about the products used on locs. A loctician should use natural products whenever possible and avoid chemical-heavy products, which can cause buildup. Locticians who use mostly natural oils, shea butter, aloe vera, honey and herbs are rare.

8. Ask to see photos of the loctician’s loc styles. Can your loctician style and color locs, or does he only start and groom locs? If the loctician can color locs, what kind of color does he use?

Tips & Warnings

• Select a loctician who works in a clean, professional environment.
• Select a loctician who will wash your hair before creating dreadlocks it.

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